Troncon fit for Test

Italy captain Alessandro Troncon has recovered from a collarbone injury and starts at scrum-half against Wales in the crunch match on Saturday.

Centre Andrea Masi starts after shaking off a badly bruised hip. Both were injured in a bruising match against Canada in which three more Italians were hurt.

Coach John Kirwan has taken a gamble in not naming a half-back on the bench. Regular stand-in Mirco Bergamasco has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken cheekbone.

But the New Zealand-born coach said the scrum-half position would be able covered by Francesco Mazzariol if need be.

Hooker Fabio Ongaro, the only player to be shown two yellow cards so far at the World Cup, remains in the team.

He was sent to the sinbin in the 36-12 victory over Tonga and the 19-14 triumph over Canada. If he receives another it will jeopardise his participation in further matches, assuming Italy win.

"We'll be switching the players a little," Kirwan said. "Dallan may move to the centres where he's played many times before, Gonzalo Canale has also played wing and centre for his club and Mazzariol has played 9, 10, 15 and 14.

One of the strengths of these young Italian guys is that they play all positions and that's given me an extra edge with the bench I've named."

Along with Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami is not expected to play again this world cup after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in the Canada match.

Centre Manuel Dallan misses the game against Wales through an injury he also picked up against the Canadians.

Actor and Millennium Stadium Tour Guide Gareth Bale has been performing his one-man play about Wales rugby legend Ray Gravell across Wales. He chats to WRU TV before taking his show to the Edinburgh Festival.

After widespread consultation, the WRU has made major changes to its pathway programme for girls rugby with a spring and summer season being introduced with immediate effect in order to respond to a clear demand to play the game.

Martyn Phillips addresses the press after being unveiled as the Welsh Rugby Union's new group chief executive. Phillips, who is originally from Fishguard, will work alongside WRU Chairman Gareth Davies, to lead and manage the strategic and operational development and evolution of the governing body at a time of rapid change within the game and will take up his new role at the WRU in the autumn.

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Lampeter on Monday to recognise the fact that the town is celebrating a major milestone as it is believed the first ever game of rugby played in Wales, was in fact played in Lampeter 150 years ago.